Method of precipitating high acetyl cellulose acetate



C. L. CRANE May 13, 1952 METHOD OF PRECIPITATING HIGH ACETYL CELLULOSE ACETATE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1' Filed March 6, 1951 Cap/fan L. Crane INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS y 3, 1952 c. L. CRANE 2,596,656

METHOD OF PRECIPITATING HIGH ACETYL CELLULOSE ACETATE Filed March 6. 1951 2 SI-IEETSSHEET 2 Car/ion L. CPane IN VEN TOIL ATTORNEYS Patented May 13, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF PRECIPITATING HIGH ACETYL CELLULOSE ACETATE Application March 6, 1951, Serial No. 214,170

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of precipitating high acetyl cellulose acetate involving the use of a high temperature during the addition of the water employed to destroy the anhydride and incompleting the neutralization of the catalyst of the esteriiication mass. and reverse-precipitation under controlled high temperature connarily referred to as cellulose triacetate, is con-' tacted with a solvent therefor to form a solution, considerable time of agitation is necessary before a complete solution is obtained. This appears to be due both to the characteristic of cellulose triacetate forming a horn-like product, and also the lack of porosity in the usual type of cellulose triacetate precipitate.

One disclosure in the prior art related to the precipitation of cellulose triacetate is found in Malm and Crane Patent No. 2,469,395, and the present invention represents an improvement over the method which was described in that previous patent. In the method as described in the Malm and Crane patent, after the esterification had been completed there was then added thereto aqueous acid to convert any remaining acetic anhydride to acid. This addition was made while the temperature was held at 120 F. after the catalyst had been neutralized. This procedure, while giving a stable product, required a certain amount of aging in order to give that stability. By my invention I have found that this time of aging may be dispensed with in the obtaining of a stable product. Most of the other precipitation methods found in the prior art refer to the precipitation of acetone-soluble cellulose esters and the problem of obtaining a readily soluble product was not met with therein.

One object of my invention is to provide a method of precipitating high acetyl cellulose acetate whereby a product is obtained which is readily susceptible to the action of solvents therefor, as compared with previously prepared high acetyl cellulose acetate. Another object of my invention is to provide a method of preparing high acetyl cellulose acetate in powder form in which considerations of economy are found. A further object of my invention is to prepare a precipitate ofhighjacetyl cellulose acetate having a high bulk density. A still further object of my invention is to provide a method for obtaining a high acetyl cellulose acetate in which no reduction of acetyl is experienced at the completion of the acetylation and the obtaining of the finished product. A yet further object of my invention is to provide a high acetyl cellulose acetate which is heat stable. Other objects of my invention will appear herein.

a In its broadest aspects my invention involves the treatment of the cellulose ester from the time that the acetylation thereof is completed until the product is obtained in the form of a finely divided precipitate. My invention applies to cellulose acetates having an acetyl content of at least 42%.

My invention involves in one of its forms first adjusting the sulfuric acid content of the completed esterification mixture so that there is present therein .20-1.75 parts of sulfuric acid per 100 parts of the cellulose which was employed as the starting material. In some cases the amount of catalyst used in the esterification is such that no partial neutralization of the sulfuric acid with a basic magnesium compound is carried out so that .20-l.75 parts of sulfuric acid per 100 parts of cellulose is present. There is then added to the mass water to destroy the anhydride therein (glacial point) and not beyond a point at which not more than 3% of the acid in the bath is water. This may be done, for instance, by subjecting the bath to treatment with a predetermined amount of steam over a -60 minute period while raising the temperature progressively from -120 F. (the usual temperature of an esterification mixture) to 190 F., so that the glacial point is reached or slightly exceeded. Instead of this, the mass may be brought to the glacial point or slightly beyond by the addition of aqueous acetic acid of 79-95% concentration. The temperature of the esterification mass increases while the water is added because of several efiects, all of which are present. One of the contributing factors to this rise in temperature is the use of steam, or if aqueous acid is employed, an acid having a temperature of 212 F. Another factor which contributes to the rise in temperature is the heat generated by completely converting the acetic anhydride in the bath to acetic acid. A third factor contributing to the rise in temperature of the mass is the application of external heat to the vessel in which the mixing is carried out. It is desirable to carry out the mixing operation in a jacketed vessel, to which heat is contributed by the use of hot water or steam in the jacket.

After the mass has been brought to or slightly Y 3 beyond the glacial point and the temperature thereof has been raised to 140-190 F., the free sulfuric acid present therein is then completely neutralized with a basic magnesium compound such as magnesium carbonate, magnesium ace- 5 tate, magnesia, or the like, while maintaining the elevated, temperature. The amount. of basic: magnesium compound added at this poi-nt' should be sufficient for complete neutralization of the sulfuric acid present, and in practice 5-10% ex: cess thereof is ordinarily added. to .assure com-.- plete neutralization. After the catalyst.=is3com=- pletely neutralized, the cellulose ester present" is separated from the liquid mass..in;the..manner; which is described herein while maintainingthe mass at the elevated temperature of 140-190 F.

A modification of the abovemay be carriedlout by mixing together the neutralizing agent and the aqueous acetic acid, heating this mixture to 190-212 R, and addingit to the completed esterification. mass.;over a:.p eriod .01 -601. min-.- utes: accompanied by; raising. the: temperature: progressively from.- 80-120 Eito 1.40490? Fh In; this case the acetic-acid whiehdsi usedacontainsi 5-2'1%.4of water basedron the-aqueons:acidiin an. 2:; amount. which :brings. the esterification:mass:.-to.- the;glacial point; onslightly beyond." The=amount.; of magnesium compound.- which". is :employed; is; sufiicient to completely neutralize? the: sulfuric acid presentin -the.=e sterification.i 111388;: plus 54.0% excess-thereon The precipitation :is carried outby; adding-sum.- cient .-water; to the mass molower :thei conccntra+ tion-of acetic acid therein finally to slit- 56%: while. agitating the same. The water which isstmbe; added-isweighed out; and heated to. a.-.temperature of- 180-212 F. and thisiwater iSr uniformly.- added to the agitatedmassover-a period-M13 (is-120. minutes. At the end ofw-tlris. time the:-precipita-.- tion-iscompleted. 'Iheprecipitationmambezcare= ried out: at .difierent: speeds of agitation; .thismot being critical. For instance; if :desired,-%.tlie:pree cipitation could be :carried out. in 'azsigmaeblade: equipped mixer suchr-asagitated: at; an rate: of. 80-100 'R: P. M. On the:other'rhanditherpree cipitation can be carried out at: a: morezr'apid degree of agitati'on, for:example, m'a:turbo'.mixer.. in whichthe agitator. is running atralrateaof." 200220 R. P. M.. a

The physical characteristics :of :the z-precipitatet obtained. by the? described;method;are :snchitl'iat the; products wash andxdrainieasilyafteriheipreecipitation has beenscompletedi. Themrecipitated." solid settles: out: and: is :separated from ,tlie=.liquid; washedwell withzdistilled water, .anddridrafian: elevated;temperature.=5

- Thez-processin accordaneeawithtmy. lnventiorr is' susceptibiato' economical operation in-vievw of' tlie factithatithe esterification mass can -be b'roug'ht' to-approximatelythe glacial or anhydrous-acid point by means o1"- steamwithout the adding-"of any further acid being necessary. Also"tlie"-pre= cipitation I is carried out-bythe -addition' of *water' as=such,- so'tliat' any use-of'ad'ditional acetic'acid" at that polnt'is tlierebyavoided. The higl'racetyl cellulose acetate prepared in accordancewith' my. invention is-a-l'so characterized 'byahigh heat'stability. The product of processes in accordance with my invention is also'characterizedby-a physical formiwhere water' or solvent'can.readi1y. penetrate the I particles. thereof; making possible. extreme ease in. washing and. rapidity. of.'dissolv.- ingin solvent's.

Forexampl'e, in comparingproducts prepared: in accordance with my invention with thoseprepared by prior art processes, the dissolving of cellulose acetate prepared in accordance with my invention in methylene chloride-methyl alcohol was completed in approximately 2 hours as compared with a time of 8 hours for completely dissolving in a similar solvent mixture a high acetyl cellulose acetate prepared by' prior art processes.

Anothersfeature' of the cellulose acetate prepared in accordance with my invention is that such material exhibits a high bulk density and therefore. is more. suitable for packaging even thanproductswhich'are available at the present time. Also the product prepared as described exhibitszaiafi degree-oi uniformity as afiirmed by-thexabsenceaofdust. When examined under a microscope,- the-:particles prepared as described exhibit-arough. surface and in a cross section view show striations which would appear to be theereasonwhy washing and solution are facilitated, whereas other particles of high acetyl cellulosezaeetate-show under. the. microscope an almostzuniformlyesmoothsurface, and would be expected to.-be much-lesssusceptible to the action of; solvents and. water. or other liquid used for washinggonforv dissolving the cellulose ester.

'Eieedrawings; attached. hereto. illustrate the cellulose:triac.etate .product. prepared in accordance with my invention as compared to the celluloseacetate productwhich is ordinarily prepared at-the-presenttiine. Figure l is a 33X magnification: of the product obtained in accordance with-themethodsdescribed herein. Figure 2 is a-200x,magnification-of.particles of my precipitatednellulosetriacetate. These figures show the nature of. the. product obtained in accordance with my invention,- and illustrate the broken surfaceof the-particles making for ease or washing and ease of dissolving, .andalso the striated con-. ditionaof:thissprecipitate. As regards the large partioleziniEigure 1, that large particle consists of. a.numberr of fine particles. loosely held together; and needsonly-a slight touch to disintegrate it into a number of the fine particles as shown.v Figure 3;-is a33 magnification of cellu lose triacetateas produced commercially at the presenttime': The smooth surface of. the particlesisto-benoted, which contributes to the dim-- cultm of- ;washing anddissolving that product.

Th ffollowing examples illustrate my inventionzi Emamp1ee'1..7=25.-pounds of refined acetyla-..

tio1I-.grade-.cotton-linters containing 0.25 pound ofJv-aten wereaplaced in'a sigma blade-type mixer togethertwith 2.8 pounds. of glacial .acetic acid. The-.mixerrwasrunior.30 minutes. while maintainingzaatemperatureof 78 to 106 F. maximum temperaturaatztheend. There wasthen added toztii'eimixer'l5zl; poundsitofr glacial acetic acid and; the: mass: was: cooled to F. Then 15.1 poundszof acetic acid were added to the mixer, andzthemass was'cooled to'90 F. A mixture of 1712- cc; of -H2SO4-(93.8%) and 300 grams of glacial aceticaeid was added -to..the mixer, and the temperature-of- 'tlie masswasreduced to 66 F. Thereupon 1926 "pounds of 97 acetic anhydride at atemperatureOfBO FE were added to the mixer and"tlie temperature of-the esterification bath was maintained at 70 F. for 15 minutes and then cooled" to 50 F; A mixture of 111.5 cc. of H2S0(93Z8%)- and'360'grams of I glacial acetic acid wasi'added to the mixer. andthe reaction temperature waaallowedl to rise to a. maximum.v

of .BPE'overa period of 2%, hours.

Tlie esterification .was. now complete. and the I cellulesediam all. dissolved in theesterification.

mixture. The jacket temperature of the mixer was raised to 185 F. and 160 grams of magnesium carbonate were added to the esterification solution. 358 grams of distilled water was then introduced into the mixer in the form of steam over 15 minutes, raising the temperature of the mass to 143 F. Sixty grams of magnesium carbonate was then added to the mixer and stirring was continued for 15 minutes, and the temperature of the solution was raised to 160 F. 90 pounds of distilled water having a temperature of 180-l90 F. were then added to the mixer over 30 minutes, and the temperature of the mass rose to 174 F. During the entire procedure from the beginning, the blade of the mixer was run. The high acetyl acetate had now precipitated from the mass. The precipitated product was transferred to a false-bottom stainless steel tank equipped with a felt-covered, slotted, stainless steel screen. The product was washed by means of 15 2-hour changes of distilled water, and was dried at 160 F. The following data was collected with reference to this product:

1st stage 2:1 tetrachloroethane acetic acid viscosity at 25 C secs 79 Per cent acetic acid in precipitation liquid 40.8 Screen test:

On mesh per cent 4 On 20 mesh do.. 31 On 30 mesh do 17 On 40 mesh do On 50 mesh do 13 On 100 mesh do 13 Pass 100 mesh do 7 Acetyl content do 43.8 Viscosity, 10% methylene chloridezmethyl alcohol 9:1 at 25 C cps- 6479 Intrinsic viscosity in formic acid 2.99 Sulfur content per cent 0.008 Ash content do 0.02 Melting point C 290 Char point C 300 Heat stability, 8 hours at 180 C Good Example 2.-308 grams of refined acetylation grade cotton linters containing 8 grams of water were loaded into a sigma blade mixer together with 1 gram of distilled water and 1200 grams of glacial acetic acid; then the mass was raised at 30 minutes to a maximum temperature of 106 F. There was then added a mixture consisting of 50 grams of acetic acid and 0.38 cc. of HzSO4(93.8%). The mass was then cooled to 66 F. and 1511 grams of 78.8% acetic anhydride cooled to F. was added. The reaction mass was cooled to 50 F. The reaction temperature was allowed to rise over 2 /2 hours to 125 F.

The reaction was complete in 2% hours, whereupon the jacket temperature was raised to 150 F. and a mixture of 105 grams of distilled water and 395 grams of acetic acid at a temperature of 180-190 F. was added to the reaction bath over 20 minutes to impart a temperature of 140 F. to the mass. 0.65 gram of magnesium carbonate was then added and the mass was stirred for 15 minutes. There was then added to the mass 4513 grams of distilled water having a temperature of l80-190 F. over 35 minutes, imparting a temperature of 148 F. The precipitation was thereby completed. The powder thus obtained was transferred to a stainless steel falsebottomed wash tank equipped with a felt-covered slotted stainless steel screen. The product was washed in 15 l-hour changes of distilled water 6 and dried at 160 F. The product obtained had the following characteristics:

1st stage 2:1 tetrachloroethane acetic acid Viscosity-10% solution in methylene chloride methyl alcohol 9:1 at 25 C cps 4091 Example 3.-7.25 pounds of acetylation-grade cotton linters containing 0.25 pound of water were placed in a sigma blade-type mixer together with 28 pounds of glacial acetic acid. The mixer was run for 30 minutes at F. 15.1 pounds of glacial acetic acid wer added to the mixer and the mass was cooled to 90 F. A mixture consisting of 17.2 cc. of sulfuric acid (93.7%) and 300 grams of glacial acetic acid was then added to the mixer and the temperature was reduced to 66 F.

19.6 pounds of acetic anhydride (97%) at a temperature of 35 F. was added to the mixer and the temperature was maintained at 6672 F. for 15 minutes and then cooled to 50 F. A mixture consisting of 111.5 cc. of sulfuric acid and 360 grams of glacial acetic acid was added to the mass and the temperature of the mass was allowed to 'rise to 88 F. over a period of 1.5 hours. The cellulose completely dissolved in the reaction mass." When this had been accomplished, the jacket temperature of the mixer was raised to 180 F. and a mixture consisting of 690 grams of distilled-water, 12.5 pounds of acetic acid, and 222 gram's'of magnesium carbonate was heated to 180190 F. and added to the mixer over a period of 30 minutes. The temperature of the mass during this time rose from 80 F to F:

28.5 pounds of the reaction mass was transferred to a turbo-type mixer and was heated to F. 36.4 pounds of distilled water having a temperature of -l90 F. were then added to the mixer over a period of 30 minutes. The temperature of the precipitated mass at the end of this time was 180 F. The precipitated cellulose acetate thus obtained was washed in successive changes of distilled water until free of acid and then dried. The product obtained was found to have the following characteristics:

Acetyl content per cent 43.9 Intrinsic viscosity in formic acid at 25 C 2.95 Sulfur content per cent 0.006 Viscosity of a 10% solution in methylene chloride methyl alcohol 9:1 at 25 C. cps 7752 Heat stability, 8 hours at 180 C Good acid was added to the mixer and the temperature was reduced to 66 F.

19.6 pounds of acetic anhydride (97%) having a temperature of 34 F. were added to the mass and the temperature thereof was maintained at 66-68 F. for 15 minutes. The temperature was then reduced to 50 F. and a mixtureconsisting of 111.5 cc. of sulfuric acid and 360 grams of arsen c acetic acid was added; to the mixerand the tem perature of the mass was allowed to rise to. 9545. over a period of 1 hour and 50 minutes,

The cellulose all dissolved in thereaction mixture, whereupon the jacket temperature. was

raised to 185 F. and 160 grams cf'm'agnesium carbonate were added thereto. 358 grams. of distilled water having a temperature of ISO-200 F. was then injected into the mixer from an atomizer as a fine spray over a period of minutes, during which time. the temperature of the mass rose from 95 F. to 145?. F.

mixer. Thetemperature. of the mass was raised to 1-'70.F. and 90- pounds of distilled waterhaving a temperature. of- 180-190? F. were added to. the

mixer overa period: 01?V 60 minutes, during which time the temperatureof the. precipitated slurry rose to 180:F. The fine product which was obtained was washed in. successive changes of distilled water until free from acid and then dried. The dry product-showed the following properties:

l tr nsicri cos tx n. i rmi @931. an? r}. 31

n al othe examp es, givena ov the a itatin element in the mixeris run continuously from the timethe cellulose is initially introduced therein until the mass is removed therefrom. In the descriptions given, the term, glacial point is to be understoodto mean substantially the point at which neither. waternor acetic anhydride is present. In converting the acetic anhydrlde to acetic acid in procedures in accordance with my invention, sufiicient excess water can be. added to take the mass beyond the glacial point providing the amount of water present is not in excess of 3% of the acid content of the bath to obtain the best results in accordance with my invention.

As regards the values given with reference to, the various products, the values are obtained as follows:

Viscosity in methylene dichloride-methanol solution One part of the cellulose ester, after drying two hours at 100 C., is dissolved in 9 parts of a mixture of methylene dichloride-methanol 90:10 by weight, and the mass is tumbled in' a closed bottle until a uniform solution is 'obtained. The viscosity of this solution in centipoises' at C. .is determined by the ball-drop method using the test-tube viscometer described by Malm, Genung, and Lapham (Analytical Chemistry 22, 65 3 (1950)).

Acetic acid-tetrachloroethane viscosity 20 grams of the completed esterification mass was placed in a small beaker, and 20 cc. of a mixture of equal parts by volume of acetic acid and tetrachloroethane was added thereto. The addition should take place slowly at first, the solvent being thoroughly mixed with the mass. As the mass becomes thinner, the solvent may be added more rapidly. The solution is then placed in a test tube, and placed in a 25 C. bath. After the solution has remained long-enough to attain the temperature of 25 6., the viscosity 65 grams of magnesium carbonate were. then added to the.

thereot-ls. taken by. .,the ..ha11-dr0p. method. After a short, intervalv anotherviscosity determination is. run. Thetwovalues should check, or the testtube. should be again placed in the 25.C. bath until a check determination, is obtained corresponding to. thatoriginally taken.

[ ntrinsic viscosity. in formic acid A025 gram dry sample of the cellulose. acetate is. dissolved'in ml. of 98-100% formic acid at 257C The relative viscosity of the solution d n. anlap arat s s, described by R. H, Wagner; (Analytical'jChemistry 20, 151-5, 1954B), aiid"the intrinsic viscosity is then calculatd in accor I ancewiththe following formula:

2,3,log.rel. vis I?? 0.2 5 Heat stabil ty The heatstability was determined by packing a 18 'x 1'50 min. te'st tube "with a'sample of the cellulose acetate to be 'te sted and then heating the tube fort hours at approximately 180 C. in a metal block. After'this. treatment the color is then esan ined andinthere has been little or no change in coior'it is considered that the heat stability of themateri al is good. If, on the other hand, a darkened coi dition is obtained, it is an indication that the lieat'stability of'the sample leaves something to be desired and is rated'poor.

The terrnffha'sic magnesium compound as used herein ins seamstress as referring either to the, oxide or l iydroxidef of 'magnesium or. to its"saltswithweak'acids as represented by magnsifih'i'caibonat'maighsiurn. acetate and I the like. 'i lfiy compound of'inagnesiuzirwhich gives an acetic. sentences of magnesium acetate when' the. "cdiifpo'uiidT with acetic acid will be suitable for use'in 'Iiio'ccdures in accordance with'fiiyIinvEr'ition.

' The pi'odifclis'in'accordahce with my invention are especi ,lusefulifi'ariyconnction in which thefcellulos'ester willbesubjected to elevated temperatures when in' dry condition, such as in fabrics, motion picture film,'and'the like. However, due to the gcod'stability and the ease of dissolving this product, it is useful generally in the various applications in which cellulose acetates are employed at the present time.

'Iclaimz 1. In a process for the manufacture of cellulose acetate having an acety'l content of at least 42% in which cellulose is esterified with acetic anhydride and a sulfuric acid catalyst and'the completed esterification mixture has a temperature ofJBO -IZOE R, the steps of converting the acetic anhydride present i'nthe coinpleted'esterification mass to'acetic acidby adding thereto an aqueous fluid in an amountwhich brings the mass to, but not substantially beyond, the glacial point, while raising the temperature thereof to Ed -190- neutzalizing the sulfuric acid of the mass with a basic magnesium compound in such manner that the completion of that neutralization isat the -190 F. temperature induced when the mass was brought to the glacial point, and finally precipitating the cellulose acetate from the mass by substantially uniformly adding water having .a temperature of -212 F. over aperiodof 39-120 minutes to the agitated mass in an amount which will lower the acetic a d oncentration hereof to 33-5 wh e ma nta n the ele ted tempera e. e e y the cellulose.acetat s precipitated in a fine particle form.

2 In aprocess tor the manufacture of cellulose acetate having an acetyl content of at least 42% in which cellulose is esterified with acetic anhydride and a sulfuric acid catalyst and the completed esterification mixture has a temperature of 80-120 R, the steps of neutralizing only so much of the catalyst in the completed esterification mass with a basic magnesium compound that .20-1.'75 parts of free sulfuric acid per 100 parts of original cellulose remain, adding an aqueous fluid thereto in an amount which will bring the mass to, but not substantially beyond, the glacial point and elevating the temperature of th mass to Mil-190 R, completing the neutralization of the catalyst with basic magnesium compound while maintaining this elevated temperature and finally precipitating the cellulose acetate from the mass by substantially uniformly adding an amount of water having a temperature of 180-212 F. to the agitated mass over a period of 30-120 minutes to lower the concentration of the acetic acid in the mass to 33-50% While maintaining the elevated temperature whereby the cellulose acetate is precipitated in a fine particle form.

3. In a process for the manufacture of cellulose acetate having an acetyl content of at least 42% in which cellulose is esterified with acetic anhydride and a sulfuric acid catalyst and. the completed esterification mass has a tempera ture of 80-120 F., the steps of neutralizing only so much of the catalyst in the completed esterification mass with a basic magnesium compound that .20-1.75 parts of free sulfuric acid per 100 parts of original cellulose remains, subjecting the mass to the action of an amount of steam which brings it to, but not substantially beyond, the glacial point and raising the temperature of the mass to 140-190 F., adding an amount of basic magnesium compound to the mass to completely neutralize the sulfuric acid therein, while maintaining the rec-190 F. temperature and finally precipitating the cellulose acetate by substantially uniformly adding an amount of water of 180-212 F. to the agitated mass over 30-120 minutes which will lower the acetic acid concentration thereof to 33-50% while maintaining the elevated temperature whereby the cellulose acetate is precipitated in a fine particle form.

4. In a process for the manufacture of cellulose acetate having an acetyl content of at least 42% in which cellulose is esterified with acetic anhydride and a sulfuric acid catalyst and in which the temperature of the completed reaction mass is 30-120" F., the steps of neutralizing only so much of the sulfuric acid in the completed esterification mass with a basic magnesium compound that .20-l.75 parts of free sulfuric acid per 100 parts of original cellulose remains, adding to the mass aqueous acetic acid having a water content of -21% in a suflicient amount to bring the mass to, but not substantially beyond, the glacial point, and raising the temperature of the mass to 140-l90 F., completely neutralizing the sulfuric acid present in the mass while maintaining this elevated temperature and finally precipitating the cellulose acetate therein by substantially uniformly adding water of 180-212 F. to the agitated mass over 30-120 minutes in a suflicient amount to lower the acetic acid concentration therein to 3350% while maintaining the elevated temperature, whereby the cellulose acetate is precipitated in a fine particle form.

5. In a process for the manufacture of cellulose acetate having an acetyl content of at least 42% in which cellulose is esterified with acetic anbydride and a sulfuric acid catalyst and the temperature of the completed esterification mixture is -120 F., the steps of adding to the mass a mixture heated to 180-190 F. of aqueous acetic acid containing 5-21% of water in an amount to bring the mass to, but not substantially beycnd, the glacial point and a basic magnesium compound in an amount suflicient to completely neutralize the sulfuric acid in the mass, accompanied by elevation of the temperature of the mass to Mil-190 F., and then precipitatin the cellulose acetate from the mass by substantially uniformly adding water having a temperature of 180-212 F. to the agitated mass over a period of 30-120 minutes in sufiicient amount to lower its acetic acid concentration to 33-50% while maintaining the elevated temperature, whereby the cellulose acetate is precipitated in a fine particle form 6. In a process for the manufacture of cellulose acetate having an acetyl content of at least 42% in which cellulose is esterified with acetic anhydride and a sulfuric acid catalyst in an amount not more than .20-1.75 parts thereof figured as H2304 per 100 parts of the original cellulose, and the completed esterification mixture has a temperature of 80-120 F., the steps of converting the acetic anhydride present inthe completed esterification mass to acetic acid by adding thereto an aqueous fluid in an amount which brings the mass to, but not substantially beyond, the glacial point, while raising the temperature thereof to -190 F., neutralizing the sulfuric acid of the mass with a basic magnesium compound at the 140-190 F. temperature and finally precipitating the cellulose acetate from the mass by substantially uniformly adding water having a temperature of -212 F. over a period of 30-120 minutes to the agitated mass in an amount which will lower the acetic acid concentration thereof to 33-50% while maintaining the elevated temperature, whereby the cellulose acetate is precipitated in a fine particle form.

'7. In a process for the manufacture of cellulose acetate having an acetyl content of at least 42% in which cellulose is esterified with acetic anhydride and a sulfuric acid catalyst and the completed esterification mixture has a temperature of 80-120 F., the steps of converting the acetic anhydride present in the completed esterification mass to acetic acid by adding thereto an aqueous fluid in an amount which brings the mass to but not substantially beyond the glacial point, while raising the temperature thereof to 140-190 F., neutralizing the sulfuric acid of the mass with magnesium carbonate in such manner that .20-1.'75 parts of sulfuric acid per 100 parts of original cellulose is neutralized at the 140-190 F. temperature, and finally precipitating the cellulose acetate from the mass by substantially uniformly adding water having a temperature of 180-l90 F. over a period of 30-120 minutes to the agitated mass in an amount which will lower the acetic acid concentration thereof to 33-50% while maintaining the elevated temperature, whereby the cellulose acetate is precipitated in a fine particle form.

CARLTON L. CRANE.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Malm et al May 10, 1949 Number 

5. IN A PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CELLULOSE ACETATE HAVING AN ACETYL CONTENT OF AT LEAST 42% IN WHICH CELLULOSE IS ESTERIFIED WITH ACETIC ANHYDRIDE AND A SULFURIC ACID CATALYST AND THE TEMPERATURE OF THE COMPLETED ESTERIFICATION MIXTURE IS 80-120* F., THE STEPS OF ADDING TO THE MASS A MIXTURE HEATED TO 180*-190* F. OF AQUEOUS ACETIC ACID CONTAINING 5-21% OF WATER IN AN AMOUNT TO BRING THE MASS TO, BUT NOT SUBSTANTIALLY BEYOND, THE GLACIAL POINT AND A BASIC MAGNESIUM COMPOUND IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO COMPLETELY NEUTRALIZE THE SULFURIC ACID IN THE MASS, ACCOM- 